Pro- and anti-protesters clash outside library where drag queen reads stories to kids on final leg of UK tour
- Welling Library event saw clashes between rival protesting factions
- Protesters and counter-protesters clash for ‘drag queen story hour’
- Drag Queen Story Hour UK is run by Sab Samuel acting as Aida H Dee
A drag queen story hour saw clashes between opposing groups of protesters – in the last row over the controversial events.
The event with performer Aida H Dee at Welling Library in the southeast London saw the confrontation between the factions.
Among the protesters were those who believed story time should go on and others who thought it corrupted young minds.
Despite the furore, the session went as planned, later a photo was posted of the act with those who had participated in the session.
Drag Queen Story Hour UK is a project by 27-year-old Sab Samuel acting as Aida H Dee, dressed in multicolored sequin outfits, a red wig and heavy makeup.
Protesters and counter-protesters collided outside Welling Library during the event
A protest in support of the Drag Queen Story Hour event at Welling Library on July 30, 2022 in Welling
Drag Queen Story Hour, an established and ticketed children’s entertainment provider, has faced disruptive protests as the show travels through libraries across England
The events in Welling are the latest controversy over the tour that has become a flashpoint of the culture war
The event with drag queen Aida H Dee at the Welling Library in south east London saw the showdown between rival factions
Mr Samuel will be touring the UK throughout the summer, hosting nearly 70 events in 20 areas of the UK including Bristol, Cornwall, Oxfordshire and Portsmouth.
The events in Welling are the latest controversy over the tour that has become a flashpoint of culture war.
A protester was arrested Thursday amid clashes between opponents and supporters of the tour in Bristol.
Both groups staged demonstrations on Thursday outside the Henleaze library in Bristol, where Mr Samuel would read to children at 11am. The event was postponed and then cancelled.
The event attracted large groups who protested and supported the show – about 15 people demonstrated against the show, claiming that the performer was “illegally looking after children.”
One protester even said they planned to place Aida under civilian arrest.
Counter-protesters labeled the group “fascists” and said they stood up for “parents, children and drag queens.”
Crowds of protesters formed outside Bristol’s Henleaze Library and Millsfield Library
A large crowd of counter-protesters also formed to support the drag queen show in Bristol
Supporters argued furiously in the street outside the libraries – at least one protester was arrested
Protesters accused drag queen children’s show of ‘confusion’ and ‘corruption’ of children
Protesters clash outside Bristol’s Henleaze library ahead of the event that was cancelled
Masked counter-protesters argue with a man outside the library
One supporter defended the children’s story time, presented by Aida H Dee, saying, “None of the content in the stories is sexualized. They’re light-hearted and entertaining.’
A video shows a protester explaining the group’s opposition to the drag queen story hour, claiming they have mobilized protest groups “across the country” to “end this sexual exploitation of children.”
Images also show how the two groups encourage each other and exchange chants outside the library.
The canceled event would be part of Aida’s drag story time tour of Bristol. Five more are planned, including one that was scheduled for 2pm today and has gone ahead.
The second event today at the Hillsfield Library was also mobbed by protesters and attendees had to get through a crowd to reach the building.
There was a large police presence and one protester was arrested – it is not clear which side they were on.
The protest group shouted chants and held signs that read ‘stop taking care of children’, ‘wake up, this is child abuse’ and ‘leave the kids alone’.
A spokesperson for the group at Henleaze Library said: ‘Aida works in the sex industry as an adult entertainer.
“This is grooming and it’s illegal. So we’re carrying out a citizen’s arrest, if we can’t do it today, we’ll do it.’